Image forming apparatus to reduce power consumption, control method for the same and recording medium

ABSTRACT

A fixing device includes an endless heat generating section including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section configured to generate an induction current in the conductive layer, a temperature-sensitive magnetic body present in a position opposed to the induction-current generating section via the heat generating section, and a magnetic plate present in a position opposed to the heat generating section via the temperature-sensitive magnetic body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/712,232filed on May 14, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image formingapparatus which seeks to reduce power consumption, a control method forthe image forming apparatus and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a digitalmulti-function peripheral called as a MFP (multi-function peripheral), ascanner section and a printer section are arranged. A document is readand the read image data is processed by the scanner section, and thenthe processed image data is printed by the printer section.

Further, in recent years, there is a MFP which is provided with not onlya copy function, a print function and a scanner function, but also a FAX(facsimile) function using the public line. In addition, there is also aMFP linked with an external personal computer and the like by connectingthe MFP with a network.

In such a MFP, various measures have been taken to reduce powerconsumption. In the past, for example, if an authentication is carriedout to authenticate a user through an IC card, the image formingapparatus is restored from the power saving mode to the general mode.

Further, there is also an example in which authority for using the MFPis given to a specific user. If it is authenticated by the MFP that auser is the user who has the authority, the electric power is fed toeach block of the MFP, in this way, it is possible to use the MFP.

However, in the past, though the user who has the authority can use theMFP, the electric power is also fed to the unused blocks. Thus, there isa disadvantage that extra power is consumed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the constitutions of an image formingapparatus and a management server according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the imageforming apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration diagram illustrating an example of a list ofuse frequency information for each user according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration diagram illustrating another example of a listof use frequency information for each user according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations for power saving accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating other operations for power savingaccording to the embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another operations for power savingaccording to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises:

a plurality of blocks configured to be capable of executing a pluralityof jobs;

a power supply control section configured to control the feeding ofelectric power to the plurality of blocks, and operate the plurality ofblocks in a power saving mode or a standby mode;

an authentication section configured to authenticate a user who may usethe image forming apparatus;

a storage section configured to store use frequency information of eachof the plurality of jobs generated based on the information when theuser executes the jobs; and

a control section configured to acquire the use frequency information ofthe user authenticated by the authentication section from the storagesection; and control to feed, when there is a job of which the acquireduse frequency is higher than a given frequency, electric power to onlythe blocks that are required to execute the job.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment isdescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.Further, the same components are applied with the same referencenumerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is not provided.

A First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the constitutions of an image formingapparatus and a management server according to the first embodiment. InFIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 101, 102 . . . 10 n anda management server 200 are connected with each other through a network400 such as a LAN and the like. The image forming apparatuses 101, 102 .. . 10 n are, for example, the digital multi-function peripherals calledas the MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals).

The image forming apparatuses 101, 102 . . . 10 n are referred to asMFPs below, and each of them is respectively indicated as MFP-1, MFP-2 .. . MFP-n. Since the MFPs 101, 102 . . . 10 n have the same function,the MFP 101 is exemplified as an example.

There is a document table at the upper portion of a main body 11 of theMFP 101. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 12 is arranged at thedocument table in an openable manner. An operation panel 13 whichincludes various operation keys 14 and a touch panel type displaysection 15 is arranged at the upper portion of the main body 11.

A scanner section 16 serving as an image reading section is arrangedbelow the ADF 12 in the main body 11. The scanner section 16 reads thedocument sent by the ADF 12. The scanner section 16 further reads thedocument placed on the document table to generate image data. A printersection 17 serving as an image output section is arranged at the centerin the main body 11. In addition, a plurality of cassettes 18 whichhouses paper having various sizes is arranged at a further lower portionof the main body 11.

The printer section 17 includes, for example, a photoconductive drum, alaser and the like. The printer section 17 processes the image data readby the scanner section 16, or the image data created by a PC (PersonalComputer) and the like to transfer a toner image to a paper. The printersection 17 further includes a fixing device. The paper to which thetoner image is transferred is to be conveyed to the fixing device whichis, for example, provided with a heat roller and a press roller oppositeto each other. When the paper passes through between the heat roller andthe press roller, the toner image transferred to the paper is fixed onthe paper. The paper on which the image is fixed by the printer section17 is discharged to a paper discharge section 19.

The management server 200 is connected with each of the MFPs 101, 102 .. . 10 n via the network 400.

Hereinafter, the constitution of control systems of the MFPs 101, 102 .. . 10 n is described. Since the MFPs 101, 102, 103 . . . 10 n haveidentical constitution, the MFP 101 is exemplified as an example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the MFP101. The MFP 101 is equipped with a main control section 20 whichincludes a CPU 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, and a RAM (Random AccessMemory) 23. The CPU 21 is connected to a PCI bus (Peripheral ComponentInterconnect Bus) 50. The CPU 21 further includes a timer 211.

The ROM 22 and the RAM 23 are connected to the PCI bus 50. Variouscontrol program data required for the operations of the MFP 101 isstored in the ROM 22. The RAM 23 stores the control information wheneach section operates.

Further, the operation panel 13 which includes the operation keys 14 andthe display section 15 is connected to the PCI bus 50. The operationkeys 14 include various keys for setting operation conditions. Thevarious keys are, for example, a start key, numeric keys, a print key, acopy key, a scan key, a set/registration key and the like. Further, thedisplay section 15 is, for example, a touch panel type displayconstituted by liquid crystal material. After the MFP 101 operates,various kinds of information is displayed on the display section 15.

The operation keys 14 and the display section 15 accept operations of auser. The operation panel 13 inputs various instructions of the user byaccepting operations of the user.

Further, a network interface (I/F) 24 is arranged in the MFP 101. Thenetwork I/F 24 is connected to the PCI bus 50 via a network controller25. The network I/F 24 is capable of connecting with external devicessuch as the management server 200, and a PC (Personal computer) 300through the network 400. The network controller 25 controls the datatransmission/reception with the external devices via the network I/F 24.

Further, an authentication section 26 is connected to the PCI bus 50. Acard reader 27 which reads the information of an IC card 28 is connectedwith the authentication section 26. The information of the IC card 28held by the user is read by the card reader 27, and then sent to theauthentication section 26. The authentication section 26 authenticatesthe holder (user) of the IC card to determine whether or not it is theuser who may use the MFP 101. Further, the authentication section 26acquires the user information stored in the IC card.

Further, a storage section 29 such as a HDD and the like is connected tothe PCI bus 50. The image data generated when a printing processing iscarried out by the printer section 17 is stored in the storage section29. The image data is stored in the storage section 29 and read from thestorage section 29 under the control of the CPU 21.

Further, a power supply control section 30 is connected to the PCI bus50. The power supply control section 30 carries out, for each block ofthe MFP 101, the supply (feeding) and the stopping of the power supplyvoltage. The power supply control section 30 controls the main controlsection 20, the scanner section 16, the printer section 17 and theoperation panel 13 to be in an energized state, and sets the MFP 101 tothe power saving mode such as a ready state, a sleep state and the like.

Further, a copy control section 31, a scanner control section 32, aprinter control section 33 and a FAX control section 34 are connected tothe PCI bus 50. The copy control section 31 controls a function ofcopying the image data read by the scanner section 16 using the printersection 17. The scanner control section 32 controls a scan function ofreading documents using the scanner section 16, and a file function ofstoring the scanned image data in the PC 300.

The printer control section 33 controls a print function using theprinter section 17 or a network print function. The network printfunction refers to a function of printing the image data sent from theexternal device such as the PC 300 and the like. The FAX control section34 is connected to an interface 35 for transmitting and receiving datavia a line (not shown).

The MFP 101 of the embodiment comprises an authentication deviceincluding the card reader 27 and the authentication section 26 as shownin FIG. 2. The MFP 101 may be operated in a standby mode in which jobscan be executed and a power saving mode in which power consumption isreduced.

The standby mode is a mode in which the MFP 101 can operate immediatelywhen the operation panel 13 is operated. The power saving mode is a modein which the electric power is fed to only necessary blocks and thepower consumption can be reduced. If the operation panel 13 is operatedin the power saving mode, the MFP 101 is restored from the power savingmode to the standby mode.

If the MFP 101 is restored from the power saving mode to the standbymode, the electric power is fed to all blocks of the MFP 101. In thepresent embodiment, the electric power is respectively fed to the maincontrol section 20, the reading section (scanner section 16), and theoutput section (printer section 17), if needed.

Further, the user information is stored in the RAM 23 serving as astorage section. In addition to the user IDs for authentication, theuser information also includes use frequency information indicating thateach user utilizes which job function. That is, the use frequencyinformation indicates that how often the user utilizes any of theprinter function, the copy function and the scan function. Further, theIC card 28 includes a memory 281 in which the user ID of the user whoholds the IC card 28 is stored. In addition, the use frequencyinformation of the user may be stored in the memory 281.

The list in FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the user information storedin the RAM 23. The user information includes the use frequencyinformation for each job of each user. For example, when the userexecutes each job of “copy”, “print” and “scan”, the execution times arestored in the RAM 23 or the memory 281 of the IC card 28. The CPU 21calculates the use frequency of each job according to the cumulativevalue of times of each job. The calculated use frequency information isstored in the RAM 23 or the memory 281. The use frequency informationfor each job can be, for example, represented as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, the use frequency (%) of each job of copy, print and scan ofeach user (A˜E) is illustrated. For example, as for the user A, the usefrequency of print and scan is respectively 10% while the use frequencyof copy is 80%. Further, as for the user B, the use frequency of copy is10%, and the use frequency of print is 80%. As a result, the usefrequency of scan is 10%.

As shown in FIG. 3, by storing the use frequency information of eachuser, it can be aware that: as for the user A, the use frequency of copyis high; as for the user B, the use frequency of print is high; and asfor the user C, the use frequency of scan is high, for example. Further,it can be aware that each function of copy, print and scan is averagelyutilized by the user D and user E.

Further, another example of the user information is illustrated in FIG.4. In FIG. 4, in addition to storing the execution times for each job,other parameters such as temporal information when the user utilizes theMFP 101 are added. Further, the temporal information means theinformation relating to the time such as hour and minute, date and time,day of week, month and year, and the like.

In FIG. 4, an example of the user information in which the time bandduring which the user utilizes the MFP 101 serving as the temporalinformation is, for example, classified into AM and PM is illustrated.

In the list in FIG. 4, information of the use frequency (%) of each jobof copy, print and scan of each user (A˜E) which is classified into theinformation in AM and the information in PM is contained. For example,as for the user A, the use frequency of copy is reduced to 20% in PMwhile the use frequency of copy is 80% in AM. Further, the use frequencyof print and scan is not greater than 40% both in AM and PM.

Further, as for the user B, the use frequency of print is reduced to 40%in AM while the use frequency of print is 80% in PM. Further, the usefrequency of copy and scan is not greater than 40% both in AM and PM.

As shown in FIG. 4, by storing the use frequency of each user indifferent time bands, it can be aware that as for the user A, the usefrequency of copy in AM is high; as for the user B, the use frequency ofprint in PM is high; and as for the user C, the use frequency of scan inAM is high, for example.

Further, the reason why the use frequency for each user is different isthat the departments the users belong to are different. For example, theuser of the design department often prints documents, while the user ofthe management department often copies documents, in this way, the usefrequency is varied. Further, in addition to the date and time, the usefrequency may be calculated and stored in different day of week, monthand the like as the parameters of the temporal information. Further, astatutory holiday, a season, an anniversary and the like may be used asthe temporal information.

Further, the example in which the use frequency for each user iscalculated by the CPU 21, and then is stored in the RAM 23 is describedabove. However, the execution times of jobs of each user may be sent tothe management server 200. The management server 200 receivesinformation from the MFP 101. The management server 200 furthercalculates the use frequency of each job of each user and stores thecalculated use frequency in the storage section 201.

In a case in which the use frequency information of each user is storedin the management server 200, the MFP 101 inquires of the managementserver 200 about presence/absence of the user information during theuser authentication process. If there is information of the useraccording to the inquired result, the MFP 101 may read the frequencyinformation of the authenticated user from the storage section 201 andutilize it.

The management server 200 can stores or calculates not only the usefrequency information in the MFP 101, but also the use frequencyinformation in other MFPs (MFP 102, MFP 103 and the like).

In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, the usefrequency information of each job of the user is acquired during theuser authentication process. Then, the blocks that are restored from thepower saving mode to the standby mode are determined and the electricpower is fed to these blocks. For example, if a user is one for whom theuse frequency of scan is high and the use frequency of copy and print islow, it is controlled that the electric power is fed to only the scannersection 16 but not fed to the printer section 17. It is possible toreduce the power consumption by feeding electric power to only thenecessary blocks.

That is, the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode whenthe IC card is authenticated in the past, while it is in the standbymode if the authentication is carried out in the present embodiment.However, even if the job to be executed by the user is only scan, theprinter section is also restored to the standby mode and the power isconsumed.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts illustrating the operations for powersaving in the present embodiment. The operations in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6are carried out according to the programs stored in the ROM 22 under thecontrol of the CPU 21.

That is, in the present embodiment, the list of use frequencyinformation of the user is acquired, and the use frequency for each jobof the user is determined. Further, if it is a job of which the usefrequency is not less than a set value (for example, 80%), it ispredicted that the job is a job having a high possibility that the userwill execute it. Then, as the predicted result, the electric power isfed to only the blocks that are required to execute the job.Hereinafter, the detailed description is provided.

In FIG. 5, the authentication section 26 carries out the authenticationof the user based on the information of the IC card 28 read by the cardreader 27 in ACT 1. The CPU 21 determines whether or not the userauthentication is correctly carried out in ACT 2. In a case in which theuser authentication cannot be carried out, the CPU 21 displays a message(authentication NG) indicating that the authentication cannot be carriedout on the display section 15 in ACT 3, and then returns to ACT 1.

If the user authentication can be carried out in ACT 2 (YES in ACT 2),the CPU 21 enters the processing in ACT 4. In ACT 4, it is determinedthat whether or not the current mode of the MFP 101 is the power savingmode. If the current mode is the power saving mode (YES in ACT 4), ACT 5is taken. In ACT 5, the CPU 21 controls the power supply control section30 to feed electric power to the main control section 20 such that themain control section 20 is restored from the power saving mode to thestandby mode.

Further, if the determination in ACT 4 is NO, it is determined that thecurrent mode is the standby mode, and the processing proceeds to a jobselection in ACT 15 in FIG. 6. The operations in FIG. 6 are describedlater.

After the CPU 21 enables the main control section 20 to restore to thestandby mode in ACT 5, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a print jobis received in ACT 6. In ACT 6, it is determined that whether or not theprint job is received from the PC 300 through the network 400, andwhether or not there is a FAX reception via the interface 35. In a caseof receiving the print job in ACT 6, the CPU 21 controls the powersupply control section 30 to feed electric power to the printer section17 in ACT 7. The printer section 17 is restored from the power savingmode to the standby mode. Thus, in a case in which there is the printjob from the PC 300 or the FAX reception, the print job is carried outby the printer section 17.

On the other hand, in a case of receiving no print job in ACT 6 (NO inACT 6), ACT 8 is taken. In ACT 8, the CPU 21 determines whether thecurrent time band is AM or PM based on the information of the timer 211.Herein, in a case in which the use frequency information in FIG. 3 isused, ACT 8 is omitted and the processing proceeds to ACT 9. ACT 8 istaken to carry out the determination in a case of using the usefrequency information which is classified into the information in AM andthe information in PM (FIG. 4).

In a case of using the use frequency information in FIG. 3, the CPU 21reads the use frequency information of each job of the authenticateduser from the RAM 23 in ACT 9, and then ACT 10 is taken.

Further, in a case of using the use frequency information in FIG. 4, theCPU 21 reads the use frequency information of the authenticated userfrom the RAM 23 in ACT 9. Herein, in ACT 9, the CPU 21 reads the usefrequency information in AM if the current time is in AM, and reads theuse frequency information in PM if the current time is in PM.

Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the use frequency of “copy”is not less than a pre-determined frequency (for example, not less than80%) in ACT 10. If the determination in ACT 10 is YES, ACT 11 is taken.In ACT 11, the CPU 21 controls the power supply control section 30 tofeed electric power to the printer section 17 and the scanner section16. The printer section 17 and the scanner section 16 are restored fromthe power saving mode to the standby mode to be a state capable ofexecuting copy jobs.

If the determination in ACT 10 is NO, ACT 12 is taken. In ACT 12, theCPU 21 determines whether or not the use frequency of “print” is notless than a pre-determined frequency (for example, not less than 80%).If the determination in ACT 12 is YES, ACT 13 is taken. In ACT 13, theCPU 21 controls the power supply control section 30 to feed electricpower to the printer section 17. The printer section 17 is restored fromthe power saving mode to the standby mode to be a state capable ofexecuting print jobs.

On the other hand, if the determination in ACT 12 is NO, ACT 14 istaken. In ACT 14, the CPU 21 controls the power supply control section30 to feed electric power to the scanner section 16. The scanner section16 is restored from the power saving mode to the standby mode to be astate capable of executing scan jobs. That is, if the determination inboth ACT 10 and ACT 12 is NO, the CPU 21 determines that the usefrequency of “scan” is high, and then ACT 14 is taken.

According to the use frequency information in FIG. 3, as for the user A,the use frequency of “copy” is not less than 80%. Thus, when the user Auses the MFP 101, the electric power is fed to the printer section 17and the scanner section 16 to execute a copy job according to thedetermination result (YES) in ACT 10.

Further, as for the user B, the use frequency of “print” is not lessthan 80%. Thus, when the user B uses the MFP 101, the electric power isfed to the printer section 17 to execute a print job according to thedetermination result (YES) in ACT 12. At this time, the scanner section16 is in the power saving mode, thus reducing the power consumption.

As for the user C, the use frequency of “scan” is not less than 80%.Thus, when the user C uses the MFP 101, the electric power is fed to thescanner section 16 to execute a scan job according to the determinationresult (NO) in ACT 12. At this time, the printer section 17 is in thepower saving mode, thus reducing the power consumption.

The processing proceeds to ACT 15 in FIG. 6 after the processing in ACT7, ACT 11, ACT 13 and ACT 14 is carried out. In ACT 15 in FIG. 6, a jobis selected by the user. In ACT 16, the CPU 21 determines whether or notthe blocks that are required to execute the job selected by the user arerestored to the standby mode.

In a case where the determination in ACT 16 is NO, in ACT 17, the CPU 21controls the power supply control section 30 to feed electric power tothe blocks that are required to execute the job such that the necessaryblocks are restored to the standby mode. For example, when thedetermination in all of ACT 6, ACT 10 and ACT 12 is NO, the scannersection 16 is restored to the standby mode in ACT 14. However, when theuser selects a print job or a copy job in ACT 15, it is needed torestore the printer section 17. As a result, the printer section 17 isrestored to the standby mode in ACT 17.

In ACT 18, the CPU 21 executes the job selected by the user. If theexecution of the job is completed in ACT 19, the CPU 21 stores the useinformation (copy, print and scan information) of the user in the RAM 23in ACT 20. Or, the use information of the user is sent to the managementserver 200. The CPU 21 calculates the use frequency based on the useinformation newly stored in the RAM 23, updates the use frequency foreach user and stores it in the RAM 23. The updated use frequencyinformation may be stored in the memory 281 of the IC card 28. Or, themanagement server 200 re-calculates the use frequency based on thereceived use information. Then, the use frequency information for eachuser is updated and stored in the storage section 201.

Further, assuming that the department the user belongs to is changed,the use frequency information is reset every a pre-determined periodsuch as one year, half a year and the like, and the use frequencyinformation may be newly calculated.

According to the embodiment described above, when the user executes ajob, the job to be used by the user can be predicted in advance and theelectric power can be fed to the blocks that are required to execute thejob based on the use frequency information of the user. Further, it ispossible to realize the reduction in power consumption by stopping thefeeding of electric power to the blocks that are not required to executethe job.

Further, in the flowchart in FIG. 5, in a case where there is no job ofwhich the use frequency is not less than a set value (for example, notless than 80%), the electric power is not fed to the scanner section 16and the printer section 17 until the user selects a job in ACT 15. Inthis way, there is an effect if the reduction of power consumption isprioritized. On the contrary, it takes much time to become the statecapable of executing jobs. Therefore, in a case where there is no job ofwhich the use frequency is not less than a set value (for example, notless than 80%) in the list for each user, the electric power may be fedto the scanner section 16 and the printer section 17 immediately in sucha manner that the scanner section 16 and the printer section 17 aremoved to a state capable of executing jobs.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another operations for power saving.In the flowchart in FIG. 7, the processing from ACT 1 to ACT 14 is thesame as that in FIG. 5. Therefore, the detailed description is notprovided. Act 21 is a newly added determination processing.

In FIG. 7, when the use frequency of “print” is below 80% in ACT 12, ACT21 is taken. In ACT 21, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the usefrequency of “scan” is not less than a pre-determined frequency (forexample, not less than 80%). If the determination in ACT 21 is YES, ACT14 is taken. In ACT 14, the CPU 21 controls the power supply controlsection 30 to feed electric power to the scanner section 16. The scannersection 16 is restored from the power saving mode to the standby mode tobe a state capable of executing scan jobs.

Further, if the determination in ACT 21 is NO, the processing proceedsto ACT 15 in FIG. 6. The processing after ACT 15 is as described above.Thus, the electric power is not fed to the scanner section 16 and theprinter section 17 until the user selects a job in ACT 15, which leadsto the reduction in power consumption.

On the other hand, it takes much time if the necessary blocks are notrestored until the operation in ACT 15 is performed. Therefore, ifprioritizing the convenience, ACT 11 is taken as indicated by the dottedline in a case where the determination in ACT 21 is NO. In ACT 11, theCPU 21 controls to feed electric power to the scanner section 16 and theprinter section 17 to be a state capable of executing jobs.

A Second Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the power saving when the user startsto use the MFP 101 is described. In the second embodiment, the powersaving is obtained by stopping the feeding of electric power to theblocks that are not required to execute a job after the user uses theMFP.

A case in which the list in FIG. 3 is used is described as an example.For example, it is assumed that the user A is copying a document in astate in which the electric power is being fed to the scanner section 16and the printer section 17. Herein, if the user A ends the copy process,the electric power is continuously fed to the scanner section 16 and theprinter section 17 for a pre-determined period by a sleep timer and thelike.

At this time, since the user B uses the MFP 101, if the userauthentication is carried out, the CPU 21 reads the use frequencyinformation of the user B from the RAM 23. As for the user B, since theuse frequency of print is not less than 80%, the CPU 21 stops thefeeding of electric power to the scanner section 16 and feeds electricpower to only the printer section 17.

Alternatively, a case in which the user C uses the MFP 101 in a statewhere the electric power is fed to the scanner section 16 and theprinter section 17 is considered. In this case, if the user C isauthenticated, the CPU 21 reads the use frequency information of theuser C from the RAM 23. As for the user C, since the use frequency ofscan is not less than 80%, the CPU 21 stops the feeding of electricpower to the printer section 17 and feeds electric power to only thescanner section 16.

Thus, the job to be used by the user can be predicted in advance and theelectric power can be fed to the blocks that are required to execute thejob based on the use frequency information of the user. Further, it ispossible to realize the reduction in power consumption by stopping thefeeding of electric power to the blocks that are not required to executethe job.

In the embodiment described above, in the image forming apparatuscomprising the authentication device, when the user executes a job, thejob to be used by the user can be predicted in advance and the electricpower can be fed to the blocks that are required to execute the job.Further, it is possible to realize the reduction in power consumption bystopping the feeding of electric power to the blocks that are notrequired to execute the job.

Further, in the above description, the determination standard of the usefrequency is set to 80% in ACT 10 and ACT 12 in the flowchart in FIG. 5.However, it may also be set to a value other than 80%. The determinationstandard of the use frequency may be any value, and may be set by theadministrator.

Further, in the examples described above, three jobs (copy, print andscan) are described. However, in a case where there is other job, it maybe controlled to feed electric power to the blocks that execute theother job, if needed.

Further, a case is described in which the functions for implementing theprogram are pre-stored in the ROM 22 arranged in the image formingapparatus (MFP) 101 in the present embodiment. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this, and same functions may be downloadedto the image forming apparatus 101 from the network 400. Further, samefunctions may be stored in a recording medium and then installed in theimage forming apparatus 101. No limitation is given to the form of therecording medium as long as the recording medium can store programs suchas a CD-ROM and the like, and is readable by the image forming apparatus101. Further, the function achieved by an installed or downloadedprogram can also be realized through the cooperation with an OS(operating system) installed in the image forming apparatus 101.

Further, the processing indicated by the embodiments may be realized bythe hardware, or realized by the application (computer program) that isstored in a storage section such as a memory and executed by anarithmetic section such as the CPU 21 and the like.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended tocover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of blocks configured to be capable of executing a plurality of jobs; a power supply control section configured to control the feeding of electric power to the plurality of blocks, and operate the plurality of blocks in a power saving mode or a standby mode; an acquisition section configured to acquire use frequency information of each of the plurality of jobs generated based on the information when the user executes the jobs; and a control section configured to acquire the use frequency information of each of the plurality of jobs from the acquisition section, and control to feed, when there is a job of which the acquired use frequency is higher than a given frequency, electric power to only the blocks that are required to execute the job.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising; an authentication section configured to authenticate a user who may use the image forming apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the use frequency information of each of jobs is reset periodically and may be newly calculated the use frequency.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control section determines sequentially whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs is higher than the given frequency, and controls the power supply control section to feed, if where all of the use frequency of the jobs other than a last job is lower than the given frequency, the electric power to only block that execute the last job without a determination of the use frequency of the last job.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control section determines whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs is higher than the given frequency, and controls the power supply control section to feed, if where all of the use frequency of the jobs is lower than the given frequency, the electric power to a block that execute a pre-determined job.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control section determines whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs the use frequency of the jobs is higher than the given frequency, and controls the power supply control section to stop feed, if there is a job of which the use frequency is lower than the given frequency, the electric power to the block that execute the job.
 7. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: controlling the feeding of electric power to a plurality of blocks that is capable of executing a plurality of jobs, and operating the plurality of blocks in a power saving mode or a standby mode; acquiring use frequency information of each of the plurality of jobs by an acquisition section based on information when a user executes the jobs; and acquiring the use frequency information of each of the plurality of jobs from the acquisition section, and controlling to feed, when there is a job of which the acquired use frequency is higher than a given frequency, electric power to only the blocks that are required to execute the job.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: authenticating a user who may use the image forming apparatus through an authentication section.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: resetting periodically the use frequency information of each of jobs and newly calculating a use frequency information of each of jobs.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining sequentially whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs is higher than the given frequency, and if where all of the use frequency of the jobs other than a last job is lower than the given frequency, feeding the electric power to only block that execute the last job, without a determination of the use frequency of the last job.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs is higher than the given frequency, and if where all of the use frequency of the jobs is lower than the given frequency, feeding the electric power to a block that execute a pre-determined job.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs the use frequency of the jobs is higher than the given frequency, and if there is a job of which the use frequency is lower than the given frequency, stopping feeding the electric power to the block that execute the job.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for recording programs which enable a computer to execute the following procedures: controlling the feeding of electric power to a plurality of blocks that is capable of executing a plurality of jobs, and operating the plurality of blocks in a power saving mode or a standby mode; acquiring use frequency information of each of the plurality of jobs by an acquisition section based on information when a user executes the jobs; and acquiring the use frequency information of each of the plurality of jobs from the acquisition section, and controlling to feed, when there is a job of which the acquired use frequency is higher than a given frequency, electric power to only the blocks that are required to execute the job.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 13, further comprising the following procedures: authenticating a user who may use an image forming apparatus.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 13, further comprising the following procedures: resetting periodically the use frequency information of each of jobs and newly calculating a use frequency information of each of jobs.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 13, further comprising the following procedures: determining sequentially whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs is higher than the given frequency, and if where all of the use frequency of the jobs other than a last job is lower than the given frequency, feeding the electric power to only block that execute the last job, without a determination of the use frequency of the last job.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 13, further comprising the following procedures: determining whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs is higher than the given frequency, and if where all of the use frequency of the jobs is lower than the given frequency, feeding the electric power to a block that execute a pre-determined job.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 13, further comprising the following procedures: determining whether or not the use frequency of each of jobs the use frequency of the jobs is higher than the given frequency, and if there is a job of which the use frequency is lower than the given frequency, stopping feeding the electric power to the block that execute the job. 